Behind the gleaming facade of luxury fashion and billion-pound valuations, a damning internal report has exposed the toxic culture that festered within the empire of Net-A-Porter, the online retail giant.
The investigation, commissioned by parent company Richemont, paints a startling picture of life under founder Natalie Massenet, alleging a culture of fear, favouritism, and systematic bullying that ultimately led to a mass exodus of senior talent.
The Culture of Fear
According to the report, Massenet's management style created a deeply divided workplace. Employees were reportedly categorised as either 'Natalie's People' or not. Those in her favour enjoyed extravagant perks, including first-class travel and lavish gifts, while those outside this inner circle faced a very different reality.
The document details allegations of senior staff being subjected to humiliating treatment, including being screamed at in front of colleagues. One source described the environment as "a culture of aggressive, destructive bullying," where senior executives were often reduced to tears.
The Richemont Intervention
The situation became so severe that Richemont's then-chairman, Johann Rupert, was forced to intervene. The report was a key factor in the decision to ultimately remove Massenet from her leadership role. Her departure in 2015, initially presented as a personal decision to pursue new ventures, is now revealed to be the culmination of these internal struggles.
The fallout was immense. Following Massenet's exit, a significant number of her loyalists also departed, creating a major brain drain that rocked the company. The internal document concludes that this loss of talent severely damaged Net-A-Porter's value and operational stability.
A Legacy Tarnished
These revelations threaten to tarnish the legacy of one of fashion's most celebrated entrepreneurs. Massenet, awarded a CBE and hailed as a visionary for revolutionising how we buy luxury fashion, now faces a narrative that contrasts sharply with her public image.
While a spokesperson for Massenet denied the allegations, stating she is "incredibly proud" of Net-A-Porter and its culture, the internal findings present a starkly different story—one of a toxic breakdown at the very heart of a global fashion powerhouse.
